Blue Jackets sign Adam Fantilli to six-year, $82.5 million contract
The short version
- Adam Fantilli signed a six-year, $82.5 million deal ($13.75 million AAV) with Columbus
- The 21-year-old held out through the first week of training camp before agreeing
- Fantilli is now the Blue Jackets' highest-paid player, ahead of Zach Werenski
- Columbus opens the season Oct. 1 against the Buffalo Sabres
- The Blue Jackets are about $1.2 million over the cap but can use LTIR relief
The 21-year-old center ended his training camp holdout by agreeing to a deal that makes him the highest-paid player in Columbus.
Adam Fantilli's holdout is over. The 21-year-old center has signed a six-year, $82.5 million contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, carrying a $13.75 million average annual value, the team announced Wednesday.
Fantilli missed the first week of training camp while negotiations continued. He became a restricted free agent without arbitration rights on July 1, and the lag in reaching a deal cost him preparation time ahead of the season opener against the Buffalo Sabres on Oct. 1 at Nationwide Arena.
Blue Jackets president and general manager Don Waddell praised the young center in a statement, pointing to his speed, size and skill, and calling him one of the NHL's most exciting young players and a key piece of the organization's build.
The contract makes Fantilli the highest-paid player in Columbus by a wide margin, roughly $4.1 million above reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski's $9.58 million cap hit. Fantilli's new average sits between Anaheim's Cutter Gauthier ($13.5 million) and Chicago's Connor Bedard ($15 million).
Fantilli was drafted third overall in 2023, one pick behind Anaheim's Leo Carlsson, who signed an offer sheet with Philadelphia that the Ducks matched at $18 million per season. Through three seasons, Fantilli has 140 points (67 goals, 73 assists) in 213 games, compared with Carlsson's 141 points in 201 games.
According to PuckPedia, the Blue Jackets now sit about $1.2 million over the $104 million cap ceiling, though injured goalie Elvis Merzlikins ($5.4 million, shoulder surgery Aug. 17) and center Isac Lundestrom ($1.3 million, Achilles surgery) could open the season on long-term injured reserve to create flexibility. Teams must be cap compliant before 5 p.m. on Sept. 28.
